“We are sympathetic to Marte Dalelv during this very difficult situation. Al Mana Interiors has repeatedly offered Marte support and company representatives were by her side throughout the initial investigation and police interviews, and spent days at both the police station and the prosecutor’s office to help win her release.

“Company representatives have been supportive and in communication with Marte throughout her ordeal. Only when Ms. Dalelv declined to have positive and constructive discussions about her employment status, and ceased communication with her employer, was the company forced to end our relationship with her. The decision had nothing to do with the rape allegation, and unfortunately neither Ms. Dalelv nor her attorneys have chosen to contact the company to discuss her employment status.

“We continue to be open to helping Ms. Dalelv and extending her resources during the Dubai legal process. We are hopeful that we can resume a positive discussion about the assistance she needs during this difficult time.”

As mentioned is the suspension letter dated 20th March 2013, your employment agreement is termination due to your unacceptable and improper behavior during your last business trip in Dubai, which has resulted in your arrest by the Police Authorities in UAE.

Kidding! Kidding!! Totally kidding. Wissam and Marte were always kidding each other like that, around the water cooler in Doha. But for some reason the other day she just totally declined to have positive and constructive discussions about her employment status, so if she’s going to be a bitch about it, what do you expect? We’re not running a home for wayward sluts here.

I think Marte will be glad to be out of there, never to return. The last thing she might want, I imagine, is more contact with their legal system.

On a tangential note, a recurring theme in the news reports I have seen is praise for her strength and dignity throughout the whole affair. But then she comes from a culture where women are not considered sluts just for having been raped. Living in a secular society does have its benefits.

I have mixed feelings about news reports praising her strength and dignity. On one hand, I am glad they are praising her and supporting her. On the other hand, she shouldn’t have to be strong and dignified

If a woman gets 18(?) months for reporting rape, I wonder what the penalties are for reporting wrongful termination. Maybe 20 lashings? Putting pressure on them to join the rest of the world in 21st century morality will cost some wealthy people some of their money, and that is obviously worse than jailing common women. After all, how are we going to dupe them out of that oil money if we can’t sell them luxury goods and services?

*spits*

Wissam, take a goddamn stand for women and use some of your wealth and privilege toward changing this morally corrupt system!

karmacat: I think I see your point. No, superhuman strength should not be necessary, but it is a good thing when people manage to hang on to their dignity in the midst of a horrible situation, I think. Her being in this position in the first place is bad, but if it doesn’t break her, that is still a good thing.